C6 Library duty

The next day was Friday, the last working day of the week. Hazel groaned as she lay in bed, the events of the previous day replaying in her mind. She had a long day ahead of her, one that included the unenviable task of collecting overdue library books from students. This meant she had to stay back after school, a thought that made her groan even louder.

Reluctantly, Hazel swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. She couldn't get Ace's words out of her head. His apology, the way he had held her hand, and the possessiveness in his eyes. She tried her best to ignore the fluttering in her chest every time she thought of him, but it was no use.

As she got dressed, her phone pinged with a message. She grabbed it, expecting a reminder from a classmate or a school notification. Instead, her eyes widened with shock as she read the message.

"How are you feeling now, baby?" It was from Ace.

Hazel's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly set the phone down, her mind racing. Why was he so possessive? And why did he call her baby? She couldn't deal with this right now, not with everything else she had to do. She chose to ignore the message, hoping that Ace would take the hint and give her some space.

As she made her way downstairs, the smell of a delicious breakfast greeted her. Her aunt had outdone herself today, and the sight of a healthy spread made Hazel smile. Fresh fruit, yogurt, whole-grain toast, and scrambled eggs—all her favorites.

"Good morning, sweetheart," her aunt said, beaming at her. "I made your favorite breakfast to give you a good start to your busy day."

"Thanks, Aunt Linda," Hazel replied, her mood lifting. "This is exactly what I needed."

As she sat down to eat, she pushed thoughts of Ace to the back of her mind, focusing instead on the comforting presence of her aunt and the delicious food in front of her. She needed to keep her head clear and stay focused.

After breakfast, Hazel gathered her things and headed to school. The morning passed in a blur of classes and assignments, her mind still lingering on Ace's message and the strange possessiveness he had shown. She was distracted, and her friends noticed.

"Are you okay, Hazel?" Mia asked during lunch. "You seem a bit off today."

Hazel forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired and thinking about all the books I have to collect after school."

Mia frowned but didn't press further. "Well, if you need any help, just let me know. I'll be around."

"Thanks, Mia. I appreciate it."

The afternoon classes dragged on, and Hazel found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. She kept glancing at her phone, half-expecting another message from Ace. When none came, she felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. What was happening to her? Why was she letting him get under her skin like this?

Finally, the last bell rang, and Hazel made her way to the library. Mrs. Thompson, the librarian, greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hello, Hazel. Ready for your big task today?"

Hazel nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Thompson. I'll start collecting the books now."

Armed with a list of overdue books and a cart to transport them, Hazel began her rounds. She visited each classroom, explaining her task to the teachers and students. Most were cooperative, handing over their books with apologies for the delay. But as the afternoon wore on, Hazel's mind kept drifting back to Ace.

By the time she finished, it was nearly 5 PM. The school was almost empty, and the halls echoed with her footsteps as she wheeled the cart back to the library. As she entered, Mrs. Thompson looked up from her desk.

"All done?" she asked.

Hazel nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment despite her lingering thoughts about Ace. "Yes, all done."

"Great job, Hazel. You can leave the cart here. I'll take care of the rest."

"Thanks, Mrs. Thompson. Have a good evening."

As Hazel walked out of the library, her phone buzzed again. She hesitated, her heart racing, before pulling it out of her pocket. Another message from Ace.

"Where are you? I want to see you."

Hazel's breath caught in her throat. She considered ignoring the message again but decided against it. She needed to face this, to understand what was going on with Ace and why he was acting this way.

"I'm at school, just finished my library duties," she replied, her fingers trembling as she typed.

The response was almost immediate. "Stay there. I'm coming."

Hazel's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the school's front entrance. She waited, her mind racing with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. What would Ace say? How should she react?

Within minutes, she saw him striding towards her, his expression intense and focused. When he reached her, he didn't say a word at first. Instead, he took her hand and led her to a bench nearby.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern.

Hazel nodded, still trying to process everything. "I'm fine, Ace. Just tired from all the work today."

He frowned, his grip on her hand tightening. "You should have told me. I would have helped you."

Hazel pulled her hand away gently. "I appreciate that, but I can handle it. What I don't understand is why you're being so... possessive."

Ace's jaw clenched, and he looked away for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "I care about you, Hazel. More than I should, probably. And seeing you so vulnerable yesterday... it did something to me. I can't stand the thought of you being hurt or scared."

"But calling me 'baby' and acting like you own me? That's not okay, Ace. I need space, and I need to know that I can trust you."

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "You're right. I'm sorry. I was out of line. I just... I don't know how to deal with these feelings. I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Hazel's heart softened at his words, but she knew she had to be firm. "If you care about me, you need to respect my boundaries. No more pranks, no more possessiveness. Can you do that?"

Ace nodded, his expression serious. "I can. I will. Just... give me a chance to prove it to you."

Hazel studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But you have to understand, I won't tolerate being treated like that again. I need to know I can trust you."

"You can," he promised, his voice earnest. "I'll show you."

As they sat there, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the school grounds, Hazel felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, Ace was sincere. Only time would tell. But for now, she was willing to give him that chance, hoping that he would live up to his word.

With a final nod, she stood up. "I have to get home. Thanks for checking on me, Ace."

He stood as well, watching her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. "Anytime, Hazel. I'll see you tomorrow."

As she walked away, Hazel couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—uncertainty, hope, and a tentative trust that Ace would change. The next 14 days were sure to be challenging, but she was ready to face them head-on, with or without Ace by her side.